Apparatus for the chemical cleaning of textiles



Nov. 27, 1 62 H. FUHRING 3,065,617

APPARATUS FOR THE CHEMICAL CLEANING OF TEXTILES Filed Feb. 3, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. l/E/IVR/(Il FUHR/NG' QTT ANEYS H. FUHRING Nov. 27, 1962 APPARATUS FOR THE CHEMICAL CLEANING OF TEXTILES Filed Feb. 3, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 uvmvron. HEIIVQICH l/l/AIM BY 4 7' TOZV E YS Nov. 27, 1962 H. FUHRING 3,065,617

APPARATUS FOR THE CHEMICAL CLEANING 0F TEXTILES Filed Feb. 3, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N V EN TOR. h'E/MP/ch' fill/RI G Egg 5 9i 4 r roe/vzrs Nov. 27, 1962 H. FUHRING 3,065,617

APPARATUS FOR THE CHEMICAL CLEANING 0F TEXTILES Filed Feb. 3, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 L z-i A 7 TORNE-XS United States Patent Ofitice 3,065,617 Patented Nov. 27, 1962 3,196,617 APPARATUS FOR THE CHEMICAL CLEANING OF TEXTILES Heinrich Fiihring, Augsburg, Germany, assignor to Bohler 8r Weber K.G., Augsburg, Germany Filed Feb. 3, 1960, Ser. No. 6,528 6 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) The invention relates to an apparatus for the dry cleaning of textiles and similar articles. In particular, the invention concerns a dry-cleaning machine in which teX' tiles are cleaned within a drum with solvent or liquid cleaning fluid, then rinsed and finally dried, as disclosed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 597,130, filed July 11, 1956, now abandoned.

It is an important object of the invention to provide means for performing the operations of the cleaning machine manu-ally as well as automatically.

An essential feature of the invention is that the working elements whose working phases may be regulated by control devices are all housed in a box-like enclosure. According to a specific feature of the invention, the machine is provided with a special timer, having electrical contacts, which is adjusted to a preselected control setting prior to the start of the working cycle of the machine for the control of each variable working phase of the total working cycle (cleaning, extraction drying). The electrical contacts of each timer are connected for sequential operation according to the processing cycle in such a way that the timers, after initial setting, run consecutively and switch one another on and off, so that they are adjustable as to their own running time and the working phase which they control. The timers, in a system according to the invention, need not necessarily be electrically linked in an immediate cascade arrangement, Between them further adjustable or fixed contact relays or other means for switching may be arranged which have the purpose of controlling further single operations between the variable working phases.

By means of the arrangement of the controls according to the invention it is possible to use unskilled operators who, prior to the beginning of a working cycle, just set the handles of the timers to a value which is based on experience. Subsequently the operating cycle of the cleaning machine takes place automatically during which, however, at the beginning of each individual working phase and also before the start of following phases, corrections to the timing can be made by adjustment of the timer handles or the machine can be switched over to hand control.

A further important advantage of the invention resides in the fact that the operators can be made available for other duties. It is also possible to incorporate the individual working phases (cleaning, extracting and drying) in several successive steps, or, if desired, to include between the main operating phases a water-proofing, retexturing or similar bath, especially by the use of infinitely variable preset timers in the automatic control system.

The above and further features of the invention are explained with reference to the drawing. In it the invention is illustrated schematically as follows:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic elevational View of the essential parts within a dry-cleaning machine constituting a representative embodiment;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the dry-cleaning machine shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the automatic control system;

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal partial sectional view of the drum housing of FIGS. 1 and 2 in the region of the automatic control panel;

FIGURE 4 is a front view of the dry-cleaning machine with the front paneling removed;

FIGURES 5 and 6 are views of two types of control devices for setting several valves in a machine embodying the invention;

FIGURES 7 and 8 are views of two types of control devices for setting individual valves in a machine embodying the invention; and

FIGURE 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating the automatic and manual control of the working parts of the drycleaning machine.

According to FIG. 1 an open-ended cleaning drum 2, which is supported on one bearing only, is mounted within a housing 3 in a box-like enclosure. The drum 2 is journaled in a flange 4 of housing 3 and is driven by the wash motor 7 via belt 6', the free wheel 8, the extraction motor 9, the belt 6 and the pulley 5. The drum housing 3 (see FIG. 3) has an opening 10 for loading the drum 2, fitted with a hinged door 11 which bears a glass window. Below the opening 10 there is a sight glass 12 through which the cleaning solvent can be observed. To the outlet 13 of the drum housing 3 there is attached the pipe 14 and to this the button trap 15, which at the same time serves as filtering-agent supply vessel containing, for example, kieselguhr. This button trap 15 is connected through pipe 16 to the centrifugal pump 18, driven by motor 17. From there pipe 19 which can be closed by valve 31 leads to the tanks 20, 20', 20 and to the still 26. The pipes 19a, 19b and 19d which branch ofi pipe 19 before valve 31, and which lead to tanks 20', 20" and 26, respectively, can be closed by manual operation of the valves 58, 59 and 60.

In tanks 20, 20 and 20" the cleaning solvent is collected at the end of a cleaning cycle. From pipe 19 a branch pipe 21 leads to the filter 23 through which the cleaning solvent flows during the normal cleaning period.

This filter 23 is in this case a mechanical single charge filter with filter elements on which entrained kieselguhr from vessel 15 and dirt from drum 2 are deposited. This layer effects the clarification of the cleaning solvent which passes through the filter. These filter elements consist of vertical wires, which form very fine slits between adjacent wires. It is essential that the wire elements are arranged vertically so that the filter cake can slide off the elements by itself at the end of the filtration period when the pump pressure is cut off and drop into the conical portion 24 of the filter 23, from where the residues fall past a valve 25 into the still 26 which is fitted with steam connection 27 and condensate return 28.

During the cleaning time the dry-cleaning solvent is returned to the drum housing 3 from filter 23 via pipe 29. The cleaning solvent is therefore continually purified and only slightly cloudy at the beginning of each new charge. On account of the continuous filtration, however, very quickly a clarification of the solvent sets in, so that one can to all intents and purposes speak of an always clean cleaning solvent.

On the front panel of the box-like machine enclosure 1 there is fitted according to FIG. 2 a sight glass 30 behind which run pipes 21 and 29. The sight glass 21 shows the condition of the solvent which enters the filter while glass 29 shows the solvent which leaves the filter and is clear all the time. After a short period of cleaning the solvent in sight glass 21' is as clear as that in glass 29'.

At the end of a charge, i.e. the termination of a complete cleaning operation, the cleaning solvent is pumped to tank 20 after closing of valve 22 and opening of valve 31' (FIG. 1), the solvent level of which is indicated by sight glass 32. At the beginning of each new charge the solvent is returned to the drum 2 through pipe 33 by opening valve 34. The raising of the solvent level takes place from the clean-solvent tank 20', after the opening of valve 36 through pipe 37.

When a load of work has been cleaned and the cleaning solvent has been pumped into tank 20, the work is extracted in drum 2 in order to reduce the amount of solvent retained by the textiles. Extraction motor 9 is started while the wash motor 7 continues to run. On account of the free wheel 8 the directly connected motor 9 overtakes the revolutions of motor 7 and the drum 2 is made to rotate much faster. The solvent which is thereby liberated is, as during the cleaning phase, returned to tank 20 by pump 18. On account of the use of the free wheel a faulty operation of electrical controls is eliminated.

When it is evident that no further solvent leaves drum 2' the recovery of the remaining solvent starts.

For this purpose there is attached to the housing 3 a conduit system which consists of the exhaust duct 39, through which the air leaves the drum housing and the recovery duct 38 which directs the air back to the drum housing. In between the two ducts are a ventilator 40 and the water-spray chamber 44. The section 41 contains defiectors 42 and an air heater 43. In the section 44 which is formed by the deflectors 42, there are disposed the water spray jets 45 which produce a fine spray of water which, in turn, causes the condensation of the solvent vapors which are contained in the air coming from the drum housing. The used water which is mixed with condensate flows via the lower point of the section 41 and through pipe 46 to the water separator 47, which is fitted with bafiies in the form of plates 48 which reach down into the separator and separate the solvent (below) from the water (above). The water runs off through pipe 49 While the solvent reaches tank 20' through pipe 50.

In the cleaning plant shown in FIG. 1, the following cleaning processes can be performed:

(a) Cleaning (b) Extracting, including pumping back of the solvent Drying as well as deodorizing After the drum 2 has been loaded the cleaning solvent is run from tank 20 into the drum housing 3 by changeover of lever 51 (see FIG. 2).

This lever 51 at the same time operates valves 34, 22 and 31' (see FIG. 1). The valves 22 and 34 are thereby opened so that the cleaning solvent can get from tank 20 into drum 2 and so that the solvent contained in drum 2 can be transported by pump 18 and pipes 19 and 21 into the filter 23. The filtered solvent then returns from the filter 23 via pipe 29 to the drum 2.

By the alteration of the position of lever 51 valve 31 was closed in order to prevent the pump 18 from delivering the solvent into tank 20. Valves 58, 59 and 60 in the branch pipes 19a,-19b and 19d are closed during this phase.

Now the filtering agent (kieselguhr for example) is put into the button trap 15, then pump 18 is started by means of starter button 61, the wash motor 7 is set in motion by starter button 52 and the main valve 31 of pipe 19 is opened by means of handle 78'. Through startingof the pump the filter circuit for the solvent is started up and the wash motor begins to rotate the drum. In order to end the cleaning phase the operating lever 51 is moved into the position Return to tank from its position Filtering, which interrupts the filtration process, and the pumping back of the solvent to the storage tank begins.

By means of this operation of lever 51, therefore, the valves 22 and 34 are closed and the valve 31', which closes the branch line 190, is opened. This allows the solvent in the drum to be lifted from the drum 2 to the tank 20 by means of pump 18.

Now, switch 53 for the operation of the extraction motor 9 is actuated. By the extraction the largest part of the solvent still contained in the textiles is removed and pumped back to tank 20 by pump 18.

At the end of the extraction period the extraction motor 9 is stopped, main pipe valve 31 is closed, and pump 18 is stopped. Then, fan 40 is started by actuation of switch 54 to start the drying process. This fan 40 draws the air from drum 2 through duct 39 andforces it through condenser 41 and the following air heater 43 back to drum 2.

During this process the air heater 43 is heated with steam and the condenser 41 is supplied with water. The valves 62 and 63 for the water and steam supply, respectively, are operated together with the'fan '40.

After the end of the drying time the cleaning machine is deodorized. For that purpose lever 64 opens a deodorizing damper 65 in duct section 41 so that the air is no longer directed to the air heater but escapes'into the atmosphere.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a fragmentary section of that part of the cleaning machine in which the control panel for theautomatic operation of the individual working parts of the machine is housed. In the front 1' of the box-like enclosure 1 the electrical starter buttons 52 to 54 and 61 as well as the switches 128, 129 and 132, and the control lamps 131 are arranged on the panel 55 (see FIG- URE 2). In the side panel 1" are the control elements for the automatic control of the machine.

In FIG. 4 the main components which contribute towards the functioning of the machine are shown in their natural relative position and illustrate how the individual valves, the function of which was described-with reference to FIG. 1, can be controlled individually or together.

In FIG. 4 there are shown three valves 22, 31' and 34, the operation of which, as described earlier on, takes place at the same time by means of lever 51. The control elements for these valves are shown on an enlarged scale in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The rod which is attached to lever 51 carries an arm 66 (FIG. 5) which leads to a vertical rod 67. Attached to this vertical rod 67 are further side arms 68 which link up with valves 31', 22 and 34.

The arm 66 which is'connected to lever 51 is in addition connected to a spring-loaded piston rod 69 of a damper housing 70. This piston rod 69 carries a lock 71 co-operating with a locking lever 72 which in turn is coupled to a magnet 73.

The position shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to that position in which valve 31' is closed and valves 22 and 34 for the filter circuit are opened. In this position the lock 71 is engaged.

By momentarily energizing the electromagnet 73 the lock 71, 72 is disengaged so that the tensionedspring of the piston rod can press the arms 66 and 68 into the lower end position to close valves 22 and 34 as well as to open valve 31'. Upon counter-clockwise rotation of the lever 51, as viewed in FIGURE 5, the lock 71 will cam past the lever 72 to allow the rod 67 to close the valve 31" and to open the valves 22 and 34.

The modification according to FIG. 6 illustrates the use of a pneumatically operated working cylinder 74 instead of the arresting mechanism 69 to 73.

Through the entry of compressed air at ports 75 the piston 76 can be operated from either side and pressed into the corresponding lower or upper position.

The assembly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is especially then useful when the whole operating cycle of the machine shall be controlled automatically. The individual control steps are described in conjunction with FIG. 9.

i In FIGS. 7 and 8 which in two variants illustrate a view of the main valve 31, this valve (see also FIG. 1) is shown provided with an operating arm 77.

According to FIG. 7 an operating rod 78 is connected with arm 77 and reaches out with its front part 78' through the front panel of the machine (compare FIG. 2). This rod 78 is resiliently biased with the aid of spring 79, the stop 80 andthe carrier 81; an arresting lever 82 reaches behind the stop 80 and can be operated by magnet 83.

The locking position according to FIG. 7 corresponds to the present position in which the main valve 31 is opened. In order to close valve 31 the magnet 83 need, therefore, only be momentarily energized.

The alternative accordingto FIG.I8i1lustrates a mum matic cylinder 84 which, via arm 77, operates the valve 31. According to the position of the piston, not shown, inside the cylinder 84, the valve can be opened and closed.

The mechanism according to FIGS. 7 and 8 is also provided for an automatic control of the machine.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating the function of the automatic control means for the individual working phases, the electrical switching elements being shown in the upper part of the diagram while in the lower part the components are shown which are switched by the control elements.

The variable working phases, as for example cleaning, extracting and drying, are controlled by adjustable timers 85 to 87 of which timer 85 serves the control of the cleaning process, timer 86 the control of the extraction and timer 87 the control of the drying phase.

Each individual timer 8587 possesses a synchronous motor 92 which drives a clockwork whose running time is adjustable by means of lever 91. This adjustment, according to the invention, (shall) be possible prior to starting of the machine as well as during its operation.

When the individual selected times have run off the switch 95 is changed over from the break contact 93 to the make contact 94.

The electrical current is supplied to the timers 8587 from the transformer 88, the supply wiring of which is energizable via leads 89 and 90. Wire 97 represents the ground bus bar while the bus bar 95 carries the control current. Bus bar 95 includes a set of thermal relays 96 which operate on overloading of their corresponding contactors. The wire 95 then leads to a door-contact switch 98 which is located at the loading door 10', 11 (see FIG. 2) and which interrupts the electrical circuit when the loading door is opened. The return line which is not indicated leads to the main switch 99. In the main switch are two contacts 100 and 101, of which contact 101 is attached to the automatic control circuit and contact 100 to the manual control circuit.

When contact 101 of main switch 99 is closed, the timer 85 for the cleaning time is energized via wires 102 and 103. Therefore, the motor of the timer 85 begins to run. At the same time contactor 104 is operated so that the cleaning motor 7 is started Via wire 105.

The potential on wires 102 and 103 is extended to lead 106, and operates the contactor 112 via the break contact of the delay relay 107 whereby pump 18 i started via wire 114.

After the first timer 85 has run off (end of the cleaning time) the make contact 94 is closed to extend the operating current to the time relay 110.

During this operation on the one hand magnet 73 (FIG. 5) is momentarily energized via wire 115 and releases main lever 51, whereby valves 22 and 34 are closed and valve 31 is opened. This allows the solvent in the drum to be pumped back to the tank 20. On the other hand the Return to tank relay 110 is energized. This relay contains a timer which is adjustable, for fixed intervals. When the set time has passed, for example after a period of 1.5 minutes, the make contact of this relay 110 is energized whereby the second timer 86 for the extraction is started. This timer 86 is also presettable and adjustable.

The time relay 109 is then energized from the break contact of the timer 86 and discontinues the extraction process for a short period during which the accumulated solvent can be pumped away.

The starting of the extraction motor 9 takes place via the break contact of the time relay 109 and the contactor 113 and wire 116. The short-term deactivation of the extration motor takes place after the timer in time relay 109 has run off, which opens its break contact to switch off contactor 113.

Now, the make contact of the time relay 109 starts the time relay 108. This time relay 108 controls the rest period for which the extraction motor 9 shall be deenergized. At the end of the running time of time relay 108 its break contact is opened and its make contact is closed which causes the renewed energizing of the contactor 113 for the extraction motor.

During this operation the timer 86 has continued to run. As soon as its preset running time has expired its make contact starts the time relay 107, which is approximately set in such a way that the drum can get back to normal cleaning speed before the break contact of this time relay 107 is opened which disconnects line 106 from contactor 112 of pump 18 and, therefore, stops this pump. The make contact of time relay 107, which is now closed, starts the motor of timer 87 which controls the drying process. At the same time the unlocking electromagnet 83 (FIG. 7) becomes energized and main valve 31 closes.

Also at the same time the contactor 111 is energized via line 117 and via line 118, starts the ventilator 40 for the drying process. Further, at the same time the electromagnetic valve 62 (see also FIG. 4) is operated via line 119, which is an extension of line 117, and opens the water supply line 120 to the spray-condensed unit 41.

Through line 121 and switch 122 valve 63, which closes the steam pipe 123, is energized and opened. Steam is now admitted to the air heater 43.

At the end of the running period of timer 87 for the control of the drying time its make contact is closed and extends the potential of lead 121 to a terminal of relay 124 via switch 122. This relay is represented on the drawing in the deenergized state. As soon as current is fed into the control circuit via transformer 88 the auxiliary relay 124 is automatically energized, so that the current which comes from the timer 87 via the make contact of the auxiliary relay 124 is directed into line 126bypassing interrupter relay through which the acoustic signal 127, which indicates the completion of the automatic cleaning cycle, is actuated.

As soon as the signal 127 sounds, the operator silences it by means of toggle switch 122, which opens its contact 122 and closes contact 122". By the opening of contacts 122 the steam valve 63 is closed and the signal 127 is silenced.

Now, operating lever 64 (see FIG. 2) is put into the Deodorizing position which action opens the deodorizing damper 65 (see FIG. 1) so that the air leaving the condensing unit 41 is then expelled into the atmosphere.

It, now, the loading door 10, 11 of the cleaning machine is opened, then all motors, with the exception of the fan motor 40, are stopped.

The fan can only be stopped by main switch 99.

For the renewed starting of the automatic cleaning cycle switch 122 must be returned to the indicated position. If this is forgotten then the break contact of the relay 111 extends the potential of lead 103 via contact 122" to the make contact of operated relay 124 and causes another sound signal to be given off.

Should one of the contactors 104, 111 to 113 be overloaded, the corresponding thermal overload relay 96 will operate so that the auxiliary relay 124 drops back into the indicated, deenergized position.

The current which travels from transformer 88 through line 95 then energizes the interrupter relay 125 as well as signal 127 via line 128 so that an intermittent signal sounds as soon as the overload occurs.

When it is desirable to operate the cleaning machine manually, main switch 99 is actuated so that contact 100 becomes closed. Now, by means of starter buttons 52 to 54 as well as 61, the individual motors can be started by hand. The line 130 has for reasons of clarity been drawn as a live wire which leads directly to the motors to be started. Normally, the starter buttons would have to be connected to the motors via the corresponding contactors. Button 52 starts the cleaning motor 7, button 53 the extraction motor 9. Button 61 starts pump 18, button 54 starts fan 40. The switch 128 operates the 7 unlocking magnet 73 of themain lever 51 (see FIG. via lines 130 and 128 unlocking magnet 83' for the main valve 31 (see- FIG. 7) via lines 130 and 129.

The connections for the starter buttons are linked up with indicating lamps 131.

Finally, it is possible to switch on the machine lights 133 by means of toggle switch 132 to illuminate the sight glasses 30 and other parts of the machine.

At the end of the hand-operated cleaning cycle the main switch 99 is returned to its neutral position.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for the cleaning of textiles, which includes, a receptacle for receiving a fabric to be cleaned, fluid-control means adapted to feed a cleaning fluid to said receptacle and to withdraw said fluid therefrom, agitator means for circulating said fluid through said fabric, extractor means for removing a substantial fraction of said fluid fromsaidfabric, and drying means for removing the remaining portion of said fluid from said fabric, the combination therewith of an automatic control system comprising first adjustable timer means operatively connected to said agitator means and said fluidcontrol means, second adjustable timer means operatively connected to said extractor means, third adjustable timer means operatively connected to said drying means, and circuit means interconnecting said first, second and third timer means for sequential operation, said circuit means including first contact means responsive to said first timer means for actuating said second timer means and cutting off said first timer means, second contact means respon-- sive to said second timer means for actuating said third timer means and cutting off said second timer means, and supplementary timer means adjustable independently of said first, second and third timer means while being connected in circuit with said first timer means,-said supplementary timer means being further operatively connected to said fluid-control means for controlling the duration of operation thereof.

2. The combination according to claim 1, further comprising auxiliary control means for manually operating said agitator, fluid-control, extractor and drying means, and switch-over means manually operable for immobilizing said first, second and third timer means andenergizing said auxiliary control means, each of said first, second, third and supplementary timer means being provided with a first, second, third and supplementary switch, respectively, connected to said agitator, extractor, drying and fluid-control means, said auxiliary control means including a respective manually operable switch means assigned to each of. the last-named means but independent of said switches.

3. The combination according to claim 1, further comprising blower means connected to said receptacle and switch meansoperable by said third timer means and coupled to said blower means for drawing air through said receptacle, said circuit means including a master switch The switch 129 energizes the 8. selectively operable to energize said first timer means and to-de-energize said blower means 4. The combination according to claim 1, further including storage means and cleaning means for said fluid, said fluid-control means comprising distributing-valve means having a normal position connecting said receptacle with said storage means and an off-normal position connecting said receptacle with said cleaning means, electromechanical locking means for releasably securing said valve means in said off-normal position, restoring means urging said valve means into said normal position, and switch means operable by said first timer means for tripping said locking means to release said valve means.

5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said supplementary timer means is connected in circuit with said first contact means and is provided with supplementary contact means in circuit with said second timer means for delaying the operation of said second timer means after actuation of said first contact means for a period sufiicient to permit theremoval of free fluid from said receptacle.

6. An apparatus for cleaning textiles, comprising a housing; a receptacle withinsaidhousing for receiving a fabric to be cleaned; fluid-control means for feeding a cleaning fluid to said receptacle and removing said fluid therefrom; agitator means for circulating said fluid through said fabric; extractor means for removing at least a substantial fraction of said fluid from said fabric; storage means and cleaning means for said fluid; said fluid-control means comprising distributing-valve means disposed within said housing and provided with a valveoperating member extending outwardly of said housing for manual operation of said valve means, said member having a normal position wherein said valve means connects saidreceptacle with saidstorage means and an offnormal position wherein it connects said receptacle with said cleaning means, electromechanical locking means for releasably securing said valve-operating member in said off-normal position, and restoring means urging said member into said normal position; and timer means for tripping said locking means after a predetermined period of operation of said agitating means, thereby draining fluid from said receptacle into said storage means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,030,394 Pierce Feb. 11, 1936 2,553,581 Hatfield May 22, 1951 2,574,251 Dinley Nov. 6, 1951 2,760,639 Haverstock Aug. 28, 1956 2,779,937 Pellerin et al. Jan. 29, 1957 2,909,052 Buss Oct. 20, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 447,359 Great Britain May 18, 1936 700,634 1 Great Britain Dec. 9, 1953 

